Process of making ferrophosphorus



Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE- JOSEPH WARNER, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

PROCESS OF MAKING FERROEPHOSPHORUS.

No Drawing.

, Tennessee, has invented certain new and use.-

ful Improvements in Processes of Making Ferrophosphorus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process for making ferrophosphorus in the blast furnace. The present practice of producing ferrophosphorus in the blast furnace consists in feeding the charge into the top of thefurnace. The usual charge comprises iron ore phosphate rock, silica, sometimes lime, an coke. The reaction which takes place in the furnace results in a reduction of the iron from its ore, which combines with the reduced phosphorus from the hosphate rock to form ferrophosphorus. he silica and the calcium salts unite to form a calcium silicate slag. There are a number of disadvantages in a furnace method where all the materials of the-char e are fed in at-the top of the furnace. ne. of the objects of my invention is to eliminate these insufii- I materials arrive at the smelting'zone,a

' by my method I use preferably a high sihca ironore and 9 charge it into the top 'of'the furnace with ciencies by feeding some of the charge into the furnace, principally the phosphate rock, through the tuyeres of the furnace by means of an air blast.

On account of the-practical inability to accurately control the proportions of the ingredients of the charge, the furnam will be- I come foul from time to time. If there is an excess of lime salts in the charge, what is known as high or built, up bottom will when the'slag becomes too acid from excess of silica. In order to correct this condition, the proportions ofthe materials fed inat the top must be changed, but before these y photos in the blast furnace comprising 'charging,fuel and iron ore in the top of the rind often or twelve "hours will pass.

Due to the slow dwcent of the. materials through the \furnace and to the fact that powdered calcium phosphate is verylight there is a considerable mechanical lo ssof phosphate rock in the H phorus due to volatilizationin the form of oxide also 'pho's hate is; introduced into the top oft ,e furnace lump form and theheating eflici'encyof the coke under these conditions is not as high as An analogous situation will occurv ing zone.

the tu .eres in t e smeltingi zone.

Application filed July 16, 1923. I Serial No. 651,975.

phosphate rock throu h the tuyeres is thatit is possible to imme ia tely effect a change in the smelting zone, when once it has been determined that the furnaceis not operatmg properly, by increasing or decreasing the quantity of such rock.

By feedin the phosphate rock through the tuyeres, directly into the smelting zone,

losses due to volatilization as well as mechanically carried over practically eliminated.

By bringing the phosphate rock in a finely powdered condition directly into contact with the incandescent material in the smelting zone, a greater fuel efficiency is attained phosphate rock is than-when the phosphate rock is heated in form. Although I have indicated,

alum phosp ate rock as the principal in edient of the charge to be introduced thro i gh the tuyeres, it is within the scope of my invention to also blow in through the tuyeres, other ingredients of the char e as conditions may demand. If the mace slag should be too basic, silica in a powdered condition can be blown through the tuyer'es into the smelting zone. Powdered fuel, lime and powdered limestone may also be blown in, as well as iron ore and coke. Any phosphate bearing material may be used including apatite, nelsonite and phosphate of alumina.

1. The process of producing ferrophosfurnace and feeding v phosphate bearing material through the .tuyeres into .the smelt- '2. The processof producing. ferrophos- :phorus in the blast ...furnace comprising fuel and iron ore in the top) of the furnace and blowing phosphate caring material in a owdered condition through '3. e .process'fof' pro ucing ferrophosphorus in the. blast furnace comprisin charging fuel and iron ore in the top 0 the furnacahblowing phosphate bearing material in a powdered condition through the tuyeres into the smelting zone and varying the quantity of the phosphate bearing material in accordance wlth the furnace op- 5 crating conditions.

f1. The process ofproducing ferro-pho sphorus in the blast furnace comprising Lemme introducing a portion of the charge at the top of the furnace and feeding in the remainder of the charge, containing phosphate 10 bearing material, through-the tuyeres. In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature. 

